Historic Bangor, PA

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Bangor is the traditional center of commerce and conversation in the Slate Belt region of Northampton County, PA. Named for its sister city in Bangor, Wales, Bangor and the slate quarries within and surrounding it, were and still are known for the finest slate utilized for roofing tiles, school blackboards and artisan craft uses. In 2014 Bangor achieved listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The national historic district encompasses a substantial portion of the borough, with building styles reflecting the numerous ethnic groups that settled Bangor. From the earliest German farmers, to Cornish, Welsh and Italian immigrants, Bangor has a rich history of cultural diversity which continues today.

Historic downtown Bangor contains a variety of architectural styles dating from the 1870's, and reflecting the original uses for which they were built. Downtown Bangor is pedestrian friendly with marked crosswalks and evening illumination provided by Victorian style street lamps. Visitors will find parking available on the street and in several borough-owned lots throughout the downtown district. Bangor is building its revitalization around its rich physical and cultural heritage. Come and explore the diversity of architectural styles and visit our burgeoning downtown eateries which offer a variety of menus and prices, ranging from cafes, pubs, ethnic offerings, ice cream and candy shops to take out sandwiches. On any given day, you may also find karaoke, open mic and local bands performing at the eateries.

In partnership with Totts Gap Arts Institute, is the in-progress (late 2015) "DiscoverTheSlateBelt" project, which connects people to the history of significant Slate Belt sites through smart phone QR code technology. Many buildings and sites in Bangor are included in this self-guided tour of the Slate Belt. Visitors to Bangor will see QR code plaques on buildings and sites throughout the Borough.